Valparaiso gas leak

NIPSCO workers discuss the gas line break along Weston Street in Valparaiso on Tuesday after city workers hit a natural gas line. The gas leak prompted officials to evacuate Ben Franklin Middle School.

Valparaiso gas leak

NIPSCO workers line Weston Street in Valparaiso on Tuesday after city workers hit a natural gas line. The gas leak prompted officials to evacuate Ben Franklin Middle School.

SUV plows into upholstery shop

Charles Randle stands inside his business Thursday that was damaged when an SUV was driven through the front wall. There was no one inside the the business, Upholstery by Charles, at 1202 Formula Drive. No injuries were reported.

SUV drives into upholstery shop

An SUV drove into the front of an upholstery store at 1202 Formula Drive in Valparaiso on Thursday morning April 25, 2013. No one was injured.

Pope, like saint, marks turning point for church

"Francis and the Leper" can be seen in the foyer of First Methodist Church in downtown Valparaiso.

Valparaiso Public Works

A Valparaiso Public Works truck pulls into the current Public Works facility on Don Hovey Drive at Axe Avenue. City officials are considering moving the Public Works Department to a new campus near the city's wastewater treatment plant on the city's west side.

Doctor accused of sexually assaulting patient in Valpo

Dr. Jose Agusti, who practices in this office at 60 S. Valparaiso St., in Valparaiso, was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual deviate conduct and sexual battery.

Family 'leaning' toward rebuilding at site of fire

Firefighters continued to douse the rubble at 204 Lincolnway in Valparaiso on Tuesday, while demolition workers continue to take down the east wall of the 1901 building that caught fire Monday.

Early morning fire closes much of downtown Valparaiso

Rubble remains of a century-old building at 204 Lincolnway on Monday night after an early morning fire.

Raw video: Demolition begins of charred building

Demolition crews began dismantling a large building in downtown Valparaiso that caught fire early Monday morning.

Valparaiso fire

The building at 204 Lincolnway is demolished Monday after a fire gutted the building during the early morning hours.

Early morning fire closes much of downtown Valparaiso

Firefighters continue to pour water on a building at 204 Lincolnway in Valparaiso following an early morning fire that closed much of the downtown business district.

Early morning fire closes much of downtown Valparaiso

Firefighters continue to put water on a building on Lincolnway in Valparaiso on Monday morning. The fire closed much of the downtown area.

Early morning fire closes much of downtown Valparaiso

Smoke continues to pour from a building in downtown Valparaiso following an early Monday morning fire.

Porter County Library looking for more 'Friends'

The Friends of the Porter County Public Library sell used books in a second-floor room at the Valparaiso branch, and at each of the system's other branches, to support library operations.

Porter County Library looking for more 'Friends'

Donna Anduskey, left, and Ilene Chelf are longtime members of the Friends of the Porter County Public Library. They, along with other members, run the book sale room on the second floor at the Valparaiso branch.

HealthLinc

A sign at the the new HealthLinc clinic shows what the final project should look like.

HealthLinc

Work at the new HealthLinc clinic continued throughout the day on Monday.

Valpo stormwater investment paying big dividends

Improvements at the Valparaiso wastewater treatment plant paid off in 2012 as the city had no overflows of untreated sewage into Salt Creek from the plant.

Vehicle strikes South Haven house

An employee of 1-800 Board Up cleans up debris in front of a home in the 600 block of Newport Road.

Vehicle strikes South Haven house

Jason Rivera talks on his cellphone outside his home in the 600 block of Newport Road in Portage Township. An SUV hit the home just before 6 a.m. Thursday. The vehicle struck his bedroom, where Rivera, his wife and baby were sleeping. His daughter was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Valparaiso seeks buyer for former North Coast facilities

After a little more than a year, the former North Coast Distributing facilities have attracted some interest, but no buyers. The Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission paid $4 million for the buildings after the business moved to a new headquarters on Ind. 49 in early 2012.

Faisal Kutty

Faisal Kutty is an assistant professor of law at Valparaiso University Law School.

Local donations shipped to Hurrican Sandy victims

A semitrailer full of donated items, including food, pet food, clothing and furniture, was shipped Friday to The Salvation Army in Trenton, N.J., to help the victims of Superstorm Sandy. Volunteers who helped with the effort at Vale Park Animal Hospital were on hand Friday to watch the depar…

Salvation Army of Porter County kicks off red kettle campaign

Volunteers at the Porter County Salvation Army have kicked off their annual Red Kettle campaign — a fundraiser that supports the organization throughout the year. From left are Angel Tree program coordinator Kathy Childress, volunteer Rose Genisio and Maj. Jon Welch.

Pine Creek

Luxury apartments and businesses are being planned for the farmland that sits just east of the Pine Creek subdivision on Valparaiso's east side.

Work continues on VU Welcome Center

Work continues Wednesday on the Duesenberg Welcome Center at the U.S. 30 entrance to Valparaiso University.

Work continues on VU Welcome Center

Work continues Tuesday on the Valparaiso University Welcome Center.

Voters line up before dawn to cast ballots

Nicole Anton, right, of Valparaiso casts her ballot Tuesday morning at the National Guard Armory in Valparaiso. Poll judge Becky Springsteen, left, hands Anton a sticker showing she voted.

Fire destroys Union Township home

A fire gutted a home on Sassafras Drive in Union Township on Wednesday.

Fire destroys Union Township home

Fire fighters put out hot spots at a house fire on Sassafras Drive at Robyn Road in Union Township on Wednesday. No injuries were reported.

Red Ribbon Week celebrated by Myers Elementary students

Porter County Sheriff David Lain, left, and Beatrice Owen, right, director of the Porter County Substance Abuse Council, release balloons Monday at the Porter County Administration Center as part of Red Ribbon Week activities.

Red Ribbon Week celebrated by Myers Elementary students

Dr. Mann Spitler, center, speaks to students Monday about the dangers of drug use at a Red Ribbon Week program at the Porter County Administration Center. Porter County Sheriff David Lain, left, and Porter County Red Ribbon Chairperson Jackie Sterling, right, also spoke to the students.

Red Ribbon Week celebrated by Myers Elementary students

Students from Myers Elementary School in Portage release balloons Monday at the Porter County Administration Center in Valparaiso as part of Red Ribbon Week activities.

Rare albino raccoon trapped in Valparaiso

An albino raccoon, left, was trapped along with a normal raccoon on Thursday, on the west side of Valparaiso. The animals, which were considered a nuisance, were released in another location.

Rare albino raccoon trapped in Valparaiso

An albino raccoon was trapped Thursday by Bob Ford, who is licensed by the state to remove nuisance wildlife. The animal was trapped in Valparaiso and will be relocated.

Mark Heckler

Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler speaks Thursday at Harre Union about the school's master plan.

Valpo stormwater basin hailed as model for NWI

Heavy equipment has been delivered to the Thorgren Basin area along Roosevelt Road, just south of Evans Avenue. Work is scheduled to begin soon on upgrading the rainwater detention area.

Mark Schwehn

Valparaiso University Provost Mark Schwehn speaks about a threat to the campus at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012.

Path to recreation

Dan Dobos of Gariup Construction works Tuesday on the pathway along Silhavy Road in Valparaiso.

Path to recreation

Dustin Lawrence from Gariup Construction works Tuesday on the new pathway along Silhavy Road in Valparaiso.

Path to recreation

Workers from Gariup Construction work Tuesday on the new pathway along Silhavy Road in Valparaiso. From left are Jeff Edmunds, Tom Lestinsky, Dustin Lawrence and Steve Ganzeveld.

Vale Park path

Two boys ride their bicycles Tuesday on the Vale Park Road pathway in Valparaiso. City officials are considering extending the pathway to the west.

Outages across region as storms roll through

Valparaiso city workers clean up debris Friday at Chicago and Weston streets after a tree was blown down during a storm.

Outages across region as storms roll through

A tree fell on a house Friday in the 300 block of Monroe Street in Valparaiso.

Outages across region as storms roll through

The roof of this SUV was smashed after a tree fell on it Friday near the intersection of Chicago and Wayne streets in Valparaiso. Police said the woman driving the vehicle had to be removed by fire crews and suffered minor injuries.

Project will grow fresh produce for needy families

The city of Valparaiso is working with GrowNWI and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County to create a community garden on a vacant lot on Chicago Street with all the produce to be donated to area food pantries.

Plane shuts down lane of Ind. 49

Two people escaped injury Tuesday afternoon after experiencing engine problems and landing their small plane along Ind. 49, just north of the LaPorte Avenue ramp.

'Stealth' vehicles used by state police to enforce traffic laws

Master Trooper Jim Burkhart enters information into the computer in a pickup truck marked as an Indiana Department of Transportation vehicle on Monday. Considered a "stealth" vehicle by the Indiana State Police, the trucks are part of an effort to increase enforcement of traffic laws.

Rare Civil War note back in Valparaiso after 150 years

Adam Holterhoff Jr. holds a 25-cent scrip he purchased online and plans to display Sunday. The substitute currency was issued 150 years ago by Molbay Carr, who operated a stagecoach line in the area.